Pause

Dear Patient,

Back in acupuncture school I had a textbook called Acupuncture Case Histories from China, which was a compendium of over a hundred case studies from prominent acupuncturists in China. In each case, a patient would present with a problem, say insomnia, then a differential diagnosis would be made and a point combination selected. A course of treatment was usually acupuncture every day, for ten days. After the ten days, the patient would rest for a day or so, then return to the doctor for reassessment and possibly another course of treatment. Usually a patient’s condition would resolve after 2-3 courses of treatment.

The pause—those days of rest following consecutive days of treatment—was a crucial element to healing. Patients didn’t just get acupuncture every day until they felt better. They got acupuncture, then rested. And waited. The waiting period gave the body time to reset, and to integrate the lessons of acupuncture.

Pausing gives us the space to listen and reflect. Pausing helps us move forward.

So today I’m putting Notes from Your Acupuncturist on pause for a bit. It’s time to rest and see what develops. I have so many ideas for where I’d like to take this newsletter, and I want to give them the space to take shape.

I love writing these notes and reading your responses. This process has deepened my appreciation for this medicine, and been a source of joy and connection during a moment in history when being healthcare provider has been so challenging.

I look forward to seeing what manifests as I step back from my regular publishing schedule. Something new, perhaps. The qi will flow where it will. But first, a pause.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist